Theobald  '/.'underling 


A  Spirit'iial  Sprinp^time 
in  the 
Garden  of  Youth 


BX8565 

.5.w% 


£ibrarjpoft:he  theological  ^mimvy 

PRINCETON  .  NEW  JERSEY 


PRESENTED  BY 

The  Instate  of 
Samuel  Henry  Gapp 


A  Spiritual  Springtime 

in  the 

Garden  of  Youth. 


A  Spiritual  Springtime 

IN  THE 

Garden  of  Youth 


The  Awakening  in  the  Moravian  College  at 
NiESKY,  Germany, 

ox  AND  ABOUT  NOVEMBER  13,  1841. 


Portrayed  from  Oral  and  Written  Communications 


The  Rev.  Theobald  ^Vuxderung 
1892 


TRANSI.ATED  FROM  THE  GERMAN. 


[Rev.  Theobald  Wunderling.  the  author  of  this  pamphlet,  was  one  of  the  greatest 
German  preachers  The  Moravian  Church  has  ever  produced.  Several  pub- 
lished volumes  of  his  sermons  have  enjoyed  a  very  wide  circulation.  He  was 
a  powerful  pulpit  orator  with  a  childlike  faith  in  he  Bible  and  the  Blood.] 


June  1913 

Published  by  the  Brotherhood  of  Andrew  and  Philip, 
Moravian  Church,  Nazareth,  Pa. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/spiritualspringtOOwund 


A  SPIRITUAL  SPRINGTIME  IN  THE  GARDEN 
OF  YOUTH. 


OHAPTER  I 

Conditions  in  the  College  before  1841. 

During  the  decade  preceding  the  year  1841  three  faithful  men 
had  the  spiritual  oversight  of  the  College,  Bro.  J.  Kleinschmldt, 
Bro.  Ernst  Reichel  and  Bro.  G.  Tletzen. 

Of  conditions  in  the  College  before  Bro.  Kleinschmldt  entered 
upon  his  duties  in  1832  Bro.  H.  Plitt  writes:  — 

"The  spirit  prevailing  in  the  College  may  be  thus  portrayed: 
Over  against  religious  knowledge  and  the  properly  required  at- 
tendance upon  the  church  services  and  the  Holy  Communion  there 
ruled  an  estrangement  of  the  heart  from  God,  an  unscrupulous  dis- 
regard of  His  commandments,  of  the  rules  of  the  Institution  and  o! 
school  duties,  ridicule  of  holy  things  and  impurity  in  speech  and 
conduct.  Bro.  Kleinschmidt  stood,  as  it  were,  before  a  barricaded 
stronghold.  When  and  how  should  he  make  a  breach  in  the  de- 
fences? His  faith  in  the  word  of  God  and  especially  in  the  doc- 
trine of  free  grace  was  firmly  established,  as  was  the  case  with  f e  v 
at  that  time,  and  he  was  a  man  of  deep  conscientiousness,  faithful- 
r.ess  to  duty  and  love  for  the  young  people.  The  chief  method  that 
he  employed  was  the  care  of  individual  souls.  Once  in  four  weeks  he 
had  personal  interviews  with  the  students  in  which  he  urged  upon 
them  a  confession  of  their  transgressions  of  God's  commandments 
and  of  the  rules  of  the  Institution,  and  a  conscientious  observance 
of  their  duties.  It  cannot  be  denied  that  in  so  doing  he  knew  how 
to  probe  the  conscience  deeply.  This  aroused  obstinacy,  hatred 
and  even  personal  affront  on  the  part  of  some,  great  reserve  on  the 
part  of  others.  The  ungodliness  of  some  of  the  leading  spirits, 
especially  among  the  older  boys,  became  steadily  worse.  This 
state  of  things  induced  Bro.  Kleinschmidt  In  1836  to  apply  to  the 
governing  Board  for  a  release  from  his  office  as  he  was  holding  it 
to  no  effect.  However,  before  the  matter  was  decided  he  resolved 
to  have  personal  interviews  once  more.  These  interviews  the  stui- 
dents  afterwards  styled  "the  deplorable"  interviews  because  this  time 
the  faithful  man  appeared  really  deserving  of  pity  to  his  spiritual 
wards.  On  this  occasion  he  ventured  to  put  the  students  of  the  upper 
rooms  individually  upon  their  conscience  whether  he  should  continue 

3 


to  act  as  their  spiritual  guardian,  or  not.  He  would  do  so  in  the  same 
manner  as  heretofore.  If  they  continued  to  refuse  and  oppose, 
would  give  it  up  and  go.  This  made  a  deep  impression.  The  mo3t 
of  them  said,  "We  cannot  refuse  to  have  him,"  and  some  of  them 
obtained  from  that  time  in  the  fiirst  place  a  personal  confidence  in 
this  until  then  most  hated  man,  and  later  another  idea  of  duity  and 
conscience  as  well  as  of  the  shamelessness  of  lying  to  their  spiritual 
guardian.  Some  also  thereby  entered  into  a  different  relation  to 
the  Saviour,  and  again  learned  to  pray.  Therefore  1  can  testify  for 
myself  and  for  some  of  my  comrades  who  left  the  school  with  mo 
in  1839:  This  last  period  of  our  life  in  the  College  was  a  time  of 
blessing  and  of  happiness  which  shines  brightly  before  our  souls' 
vision  all  our  lives.  Other  classmates,  it  is  true,  felt  themselves 
embarrassed  and  almost  insulted  by  Bro.  Kleinschmidt's  incisive  ex- 
amination and  exhortation,  and  only  maintained  a  still  greater  r"?- 
serve.  ^Some  still  prevaricated,  and  deceived  him,  a  few  in  an  all 
the  more  artful  manner." 

In  1839  Bro.  Kleinschmidt  was  appointed  assistant  Minister 
at  Niesky,  and  Bro.  Ernst  Reichel  became  his  successor  in  the 
College. 

We  who  entered  the  College  after  1839  received,  partly  from 
Bro.  Kleinschmidt's  pastoral  labor  in  the  preparatory  school,  partly 
from  the  faithful,  kindly  and  earnest  efforts  of  our  new  spirituak 
adviser,  Bro.  Ernst  Reichel,  the  impression  of  a  divine  power  that 
was  rebuking  and  gently  calling  us.  He  was  a  faithful  intercessor 
for  us,  and  could  therefore  hope  for  that  which  could  not  yet  be 
seen.  Buit  the  honestly  pious  resolutions,  endeavors  and  struggles 
that  had  ibeen  brought  about  by  the  grace  of  God  in  the  hearts  and 
lives  of  some  students  were  carefully  concealed,  in  order  to  escape 
the  jeers  of  comrades.  Thus,  for  instance,  one  boy  procured  a 
French  New  Testament  in  order  to  read  it  with  the  pretense  Jf 
learning  the  language. 

In  September  Bro.  Tietzen  succeeded  Bro.  Ernst  Reichel  in  of- 
fice, also  just  the  right  person,  a  man  of  loving  zeal  and  wisdom,  at 
the  right  time,  as  the  further  account  will  show. 

Some  of  the  tutors  also,  who  had  charge  of  us  outside  of  class 
hours  and  were  pious  brethren,  together  with  two  teachers,  quietly 
gave  us  good  advice.  But  above  all  we  later  learned  that  a  pray- 
ing band  among  those  brethren  had  been  as  an  hearth  from  which, 
many  sparks  of  (blessing  had  been  scattered  abroad  by  the  Spirit 
of  God.  Thus  the  Lord  had  made  use  of  many  pioneers  secretly 
preparing  His  way,  and  many  a  heart  certainly  felt  that  there  must 
be  a  change,  and  perhaps  desired  it,  but  could  not  yet  decide  to  open 
the  door  at  which  the  Saviour  was  knocking,  while  in  others'  the 
seeds  of  an  earnest  life  of  prayer  were  germinating. 

And  yet,  when  the  Saviour  himself,  came  with  the  direct, 
quick-working  power  of  His  grace,  causing  such  a  radical  change  in. 


4 


the  condition  of  so  many  cold  hearts  and  of  the  entire  Institutio;i 
it  seemed  to  us  that  the  power  of  God  had  suddenly  broken  forth 
over  a  field  of  the  dead,  to  give  them  new  life.  For,  until  shortly 
before  this,  notwithstanding  so  much  preparation  of  the  way,  the 
conditions  in  the  College  were  still  of  a  very  sad  character. 

Those  who  entered  the  College  after  being  brought  up  in  the  fear 
of  God  and  being  directed  to  the  Saviour  had  to  sustain  a  serious 
conflict,  to  which  a  boy  of  that  age  is  not  equal,  having  either  to 
give  up  the  relation  in  which  he  had  stood  to  the  Saviour  and  to 
sin,  and  to  swim  with  the  stream  of  levity,  which  was  my  experience, 
or  to  endure  mockery  and  oppression,  as  did  my  brother  Theodore. 
Our  teachers,  if  they  knew  how  to  inspire  respect,  we  obeyed  as  long 
as  we  were  under  their  observation.  The  tutors,  some  of  whom  were 
unsophisticated  but  earnest  and  pious  brethren,  we  had  little  respect 
for,  ridiculed  them  and  paid  little  attention  to  their  requirements. 
The  daily  services  of  the  congregation  were  for  the  most  part  at- 
tended with  reluctance;  some  of  us  at  once  settled  ourselves  for  a 
nap;  others,  instead  of  the  liturgy  or  hymn-book,  took  story-books 
along.  Wit  that  ridiculed  sacred  things  was  very  common.  Even 
in  September,  1841,  if  not  in  a  malicious,  yet  in  a  thoroughly  fri- 
volous manner,  fun  was  made  of  the  prayer-meetings  of  the  tutors, 
which  had  been  observed.  The  rules  of  the  Institution  were  broken 
without  scruple,  whenever  detection  seemed  improbable.  Cheat- 
ing in  school-tasks  was  not  infrequent. 

There  was  an  utter  lack  of  discipline  in  the  treatment  of  the 
younger  scholars  by  the  older  ones.  In  a  classical  'boarding-school 
it  will  always  be  necessary  to  insist  that  the  older  room-companies 
'be  respected  by  the  younger  ones;  but  at  the  time  in  question  the 
latter  endured  a  thralldom  against  which  there  was  no  protection. 
The  former,  being  the  stronger,  used  their  power  in  deciding  trifling 
matters  unjustly  and  generally  with  personal  violence.  A  member 
of  a  higher  room-company  often  compelled  a  boy  of  a  lower  one 
to  do  for  him  something  that  was  against  the  rules,  for  instance,  to 
go  out  of  an  evening  and  buy  something  from  the  baker.  If  the 
boy  demurred  he  was  beaten,  and  woe  to  him  if  he  comiplained! 

The  arrogance  of  the  students,  who  at  that  time  looked  down 
with  the  foolish  pride  of  a  boy  upon  all  people  of  a  different  class, 
must  also  be  mentioned.  But  truth  requires  the  statement  that 
these  foolish  views  of  class-idistinctions  were  prevalent  in  the  con- 
gregation at  that  time.  Our  teachers,  also,  were  largely  governed 
by  the  same  spirit  of  the  times. 

Such  is  the  picture  of  conditions  in  the  College  of  those  day%, 
in  so  far  as  they  were  apparent  to  all.  What  sin  and  shame  were 
hidden  ibeneath  this  exterior,  God  knew.  But  He  also  knew  the 
secret  tendencies  here  and  there  towards  a  betterment  of  these 
conditions.  Such  tendencies,  however,  did  not  yet  venture  into 
the  light. 

5 


That  this  state  of  affairs  in  the  College  continued  until  within 
a  few  weeks  of  November  13,  1841,  is  shown  by  an  article  in  the 
Bruederbote  of  1867  by  "A",  who  was  a  member  of  the  highest 
room-company  in  1841,  and  after  twenty-five  years  writes  as 
follows:  — 

"Until  September,  1841,  the  College  was  very  similar  to  a  field 
full  of  dead  men's  bones.  Special  stress  must  be  laid  upon  the  pre- 
valent levity,  that  powerful  weaipon  of  the  enemy,  of  which  he  made 
use  among  us  also,  to  stifle  conscience  whenever  it  was  about  to 
awake,  and  to  destroy  the  germ  of  every  better  impulse.  Light- 
minded  we  arose  in  the  morning  and  light-minded  we  retired  at 
night;  in  a  light-minded  way  we  made  fun  of  everything  that  should 
have  been  sacred  to  us;  we  had  no  respect  for  age  or  rank;  every- 
thing was  material  for  our  wit.  I  do  not  know  how  the  times  in 
which  I  lived  compared  with  former  ones;  let  that  pass.  One  thing 
is  certain:  there  was  a  bad  spirit  among  us,  an  unholy  spirit,  that 
'became  none  so  ill  as  future  ministers  of  the  Church.  There  was 
urgent  need  of  a  change.    And  it  came." 


CHAPTER  n. 
The  AwakeniBg  of  a  Small  Group  in  September  1841. 

The  first  testimony  regarding  that  time  is  given  'by  the  above- 
named  member  of  the  highest  class,  "A,  '  a  young  man  of  physical 
strength,  youthful  spirit  and  lively  disposition,  who  made  no  pre- 
tense to  be  other  than  he  was,  and  had  many  friehds.  In  a  letter 
to  a  friend  in  December  1841  he  wrote  as  follows:  — 

'"When  Prince  Reuss  was  sick  in  Stonsdorf,  I  often  spoke  of  U 
with  one  of  his  sons,  an  acquaintance  of  mine.  I  would  have 
liked  to  comfort  him  and  his  'brothers,  but  did  not  know  how  to  do 
it.  As  yet  I  had  felt  no  desire  to  direct  them  to  the  'Saviour,  and 
a  false  shame  kept  me  from  doing  so.  When  they  were  suiddenly 
sent  for  at  night  on  the  twenty-sixth  of  .eptember,  an  anxious  and 
restless  mood  took  possession  of  me  which  I  could  not  repress.  I 
felt  the  need  of  a  confidant,  but  who  should  it  be?  I  had  no  inti- 
mate friend  in  our  room  and  therefore  turned  to  a  friend  of  Prince 
Reuss  in  the  third  room,  George  von  Heinitz,  whose  feelings,  as 
he  told  me,  were  like  my  own.  From  that  time  we  knew  one  an- 
other and  our  daily  intercourse  had  reference  to  our  mutual 
friend.  I  once  said  to  him,  "If  we  could  only  do  something  for 
him!'  and  he  replied,  'That  we  can;  we  can  pray  the  Saviour 
to  comfort  him  with  His  abundant  comfort,  which  is  indeed  the 
best.'  This  made  a  deep  impression  upon  me,  and  from  that  mo- 
ment I  began  to  reflect  more  upon  my  own  condition.  Then  the 
Saviour  revealed  to  me  all  my  faults  in  succession;  but,  thank  God, 
He  also  granted  me  the  power  not  to  be  too  greatly  frightened  by 
Ihem,  but  to  cast  all  my  care  upon  Him. 


The  whole  week,  Septemiber  2  6  to  October  2,  in  which  the 
death  of  the  Prince  occurred,  was  a  memorable  one  for  me,  especi- 
ally the  evening  on  which  the  message  announcing  his  death  was  re- 
ceived and  the  day  of  the  funeral  (October  1)  on  which  my  thoughts 
were  so  taken  up  with  this  matter  that  I  could  not  fix  my  attention 
on  my  studies.  During  these  days  I  also  became  acquainted  with 
another  friend  of  the  Prince. 

The  first  one  of  the  tutors  who  had  charge  of  us  to  whom  I  un- 
burdened myself  was  Moritz  Geissler,  the  tutor  in  the  third  room, 
to  whom  I  had  for  some  time  felt  drawn.  It  was  the  first  time  that 
I  spoke  more  at  length  about  myself  with  such  a  brother.  I  then 
indeed  obtained  more  light  on  my  wickedness  and  my  inability  ',o 
help  myself,  but  I  was  so  glad  for  that  walk  that  I  thanked  the 
Saviour  on  my  knees  for  it. 

lAbout  this  time  one  or  two  of  us  heard  a  fervent  prayer  which 
Bro.  Hagen,  the  night  watchman  for  both  Institutions  offered  in 
his  little  attic  room,  beseeching  the  Saviour  to  draw  us  all  unto 
Himself,  and  this  also  made  a  deep  impression  upon  us. 

When  the  Princes  Reuss  returned  from  the  blessed  death-bed 
of  their  father,  and  had  been  received  by  us,  their  friends,  in  the 
most  cordial  manner,  they  related  how  King  William  IV  had  come 
to  Stonsdorf  several  times  and  also  on  the  day  the  Prince  died, 
from  the  near-by  Erdmannsdorf,  and  had  given  expression  to  his 
grief  at  th9  death  of  his  friend.  At  the  funeral  he  had  accompani- 
ed the  mother  and  her  children,  and  gave  the  former  his  arm  until 
they  reached  the  grave. 

As  we,  the  friends  of  the  orphaned  sons  of  the  Prince,  became 
conscious  upon  trying  to  comfort  them  that  they  as  yet  had  not 
shared  in  the  blessings  we  had  received,  we  covenanted  together  to 
pray  unweariedly  that  the  Lord  would  draw  them  unto  Himself. 
But  this  intercession  was  extended  more  and  more  until  it  became 
a  petition  for  an  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit  upon  the  entire  In- 
stitution. 

'On  the  Saturday  after  the  return  of  the  Princes  the  Lord's 
Supper  was  celebrated.  I  had  anticipated  it  with  feelings  very  differ- 
ent from  previous  ones,  and  the  Saviour  bestowed  upon  me  such  a 
blessing  as  1  had  never  yet  received  on  a  similar  occasion.  During 
the  following  week  He  permitted  me  to  become  acquainted  in  a  re- 
markable manner  with  a  relative  of  the  Stonsdorf  Princes  who  was 
one  of  us.  Bro.  Tietzen  had  held  a  very  earnest  evening  service  on 
the  topic  of  prayer  and  afterwards  I  asked  that  boy  if  he  had  en- 
joyed it.  Thereupon  he  began  to  speak  so  freely  with  me  that  1 
could  not  help  loving  him  at  once,  especially  when  upon  my  remark- 
ing that  I  had  not  much  time  to  spare  as  I  had  a  difficult  trigono- 
metrical problem  to  solve,  he  said:  "Only  ask  the  Saviour  to  help 
you  and  you  will  succeed!"  Quite  put  to  shame  I  thanked  him  for 
this  good  advice,  but  in  my  thoughtlessness,  forgot  to  pray,  and 

7 


could  not  at  all  find  the  solution  of  the  problem.  For  an  instant  I 
was  more  inclined  to  swear  than  to  pray,  but  then  I  remembered 
the  advice  given  me,  followed  it,  and  after  brief  study  found  the 
desired  solution. 

At  the  end  of  this  week  it  occurred  to  me  more  than  ever  that 
as  yet  I  had  not  become  better  acquainted  with  any  one  of  my 
classmates,  except  with  "B'  ,  and  this  became  an  urgent  subject  of 
my  prayers." 

His  comrades  had  remarked  a  change  in  his  character  and  con- 
duct, could  not  understand  it  and  formed  wrong  opinions.  This 
probably  induced  him  to  write:  "In  the  first  two  weeks  of  November 
the  Saviour  brought  it  about  that  we  comrades  of  the  first  room  had 
a  general  conversation  with  one  another.  Whoever  had  to  come 
to  an  understanding  about  anything  with  another,  did  so  quite 
voluntarily  and  openly  before  the  approaching  Holy  Communion. 
At  an  earlier  time  I  did  not  like  festal  occasions,  but  for  weeks  I 
anticipated  this  one  with  joy". 

Of  the  effects  of  this  conversation  a  third  mem^ber,  "C"  of  the 
first  room  gives  the  following  testimony:  "  'A'  kept  me  almost  as  the 
last  with  regard  to  the  proposed  interchange  of  experiences,  evi- 
dently because  he  thought  me  least  likely  to  favor  it.  At  last,  on 
the  sixth  of  Novemiber,  a  Saturday  afternoon,  he  asked  me  to  take 
a  walk  with  him.  It  was  a  specially  fine  late  autumn  day.  We 
walked  out  the  road  to  Trebus  as  far  as  the  sign-ipost,  where  ws 
separated,  as  he  wanted  to  visit  some  one  in  Trebus.  Timidly  at 
first,  but  then  withouit  reserve,  he  told  me  what  the  Lord  had  done 
for  him  and  how  it  came  about.  If  he  feared  that  he  would  meet 
with  an  inimical  disagreement  on  my  part,  his  fear  was  groundless. 
I  felt  as  on  the  early  day  in  spring  when  the  ice  has  been  thawed. 
Oh  I  had  felt  for  a  long  time  that  I  must  experience  a  change,  and 
now  the  hope  for  it  was  so  near  realization.  I  remember  distinctly 
that  as  1  returned  alone  l  was  in  a  quietly  glad  expectant  frame  of 
mind." 

A  fourth  member,  "D"  of  the  first  class  writes  on  the  twelfth 
of  November  to  a  friend  in  Gnadenfrei: — "So  you  can  sometimes 
really  think  that  you  have  been  born  again.  I  must  call  you  very 
happy  in  sometimes  having  such  blessed  hours.  I  never  have  such. 
The  most  that  I  have  attained  to  is  the  consciousness  that  the  Lord 
is  leading  me,  and  by  means  of  my  devious  ways  desires  to  teach  me 
that  this  world  can  give  me  nothing,  and  that,  if  I  really  desire  to 
find  peace  and  joy  He  alone  can  give  them  to  me.  And,  thank  God, 
I  have  this  blessed  assurance.  For  without  Him  all  conversation 
about  the  best  and  most  sacred  things,  aJbout  the  salvation  of  the 
soul  or  the  delightful  exiperiences  of  believers,  is  of  no  use." 

The  small  group  of  friends  thus  banded  together,  which  ac- 
cording to  the  record  in  the  diary  of  a  teacher  at  that  time  number- 
ed about  fifteen  in  the  College  before  the  thirteenth   of  November, 


anticipated  with  joy  the  celebration  of  the  Holy  Communion  on  the 
approaching  festival  day,  November  13.  Of  this  Bro.  Moritz  Geis- 
sler,  named  above,  reports:  — 

■•  'Then',  one  heard  them  say,  "will  that  which  we  have  experi- 
enced be  fully  sealed;  we  shall  receive  power  to  resist  sin,  shall  be 
filled  with  love  and  be  able  to  pray  more  fervently  for  others  also,' 
and  their  eyes  shone  for  joy.  Was  it  strange  that  we  brethren 
united  in  praising  the  Lord  and  in  beseeching  Him  that  He  would 
not  put  to  shame  the  longing  and  tne  faith  of  this  small  company  of 
boys,  and  would  cause  His  sacred  fire  to  inflame  the  hearts  of  tbe 
others?  This  was  our  prayer,  especially  on  the  afternoon  of  Novem- 
bed  12,  and  early  on  November  13." 

My  personal  recollection  of  these  occurrences  in  the  College  be- 
gins with  Friday,  November  12.  I  was  in  the  third  room.  One  of 
my  comrades  took  me  aside  and  told  me  of  several  students  who 
were  seeking  the  forgiveness  of  their  sins,  and  that  some  had  re- 
ceived it;  that  he  was  one  of  them,  and  I  should  also  seek  the  Lord. 
His  words  moved  me  greatly;  I  believed  1  was  grieved  that  I  had 
not  been  told  sooner.  For  I  thought  that  I,  for  whom  the  Savioar 
had  done  so  much,  and  who  had  so  often  in  vain  promised  Him  to 
be  faithfuil,  ought  surely  to  have  part  in  this  matter. 

On  the  same  day  "A  '  had  come  to  my  oldest  brother  Theodore, 
who  writes  as  follows  in  his  diary: — "In  the  evening  I  became  un*- 
expectedly  acquainted  with  the  religious  experience  of  "A",  who  had 
been  recently  awakened  and  had  fornied  a  more  intimate  acquain- 
tance with  several  of  the  boys  in  the  house.  I  had  often  been  in  un- 
certainty about  him.    This  evening  I  was  as  happy  as  a  child." — 

The  simple  cliildlike  private  confidences  above  narrated  became 
for  many,  as  they  had  already  been  for  some,  as  kindling  sparks  of  a 
hidden  fire  that  constantly  spreads  farther.  The  days  that  followed 
prove  this.  The  hearth  on  which  this  fire  burned,  however,  was 
really  the  rompassiionate  heart  of  our  Saviour.  We  shall  never  lose 
the  impression  that  in  those  days  the  divine  power  worked  in  a 
wonderful,  direct  manner;  yes,  He  did  according  to  His  promises  as 
an  answer  to  the  express  petition  of  that  band  of  brethren  among 
the  tutors,  "I  will  give  them  an  heart  to  know  me  that  I  am  the 
Lord."  (Jer.  24;  V.) 


CHAPTER  III 

The  Spread  of  the  Awakening  in  the  College  after  JNoveniber  13,  1841. 

The  thirteenth  of  November  passed  very  quietly  for  all  those 
who  as  yet  knew  nothing  of  the  hidden  glowing  of  the  divine  fire 
in  a  number  of  their  comrades.  On  Saturday  the  centenary  cele- 
bration of  November  13,  1741  was  celebrated.  It  was  distinguished 
from  the  annual  celebration  of  the  day  only  by  a  jubilee-psalm 
which  pretty  plainly  lauded  the  Brethren's  Church  as  the  OUurch 


in  Philadelphia  («ev.  3;  7-12.)  I  do  not  think  that  the  addresses 
in  the  morning  and  afternoon  services  helped  to  promote  the  awaken- 
ing of  our  hearts.  Yes,  I  rememiber  that  at  the  lovefeast  in  the 
crowded  little  meeting-hall  there  were  several  comical  occurrences 
that  amused  us  greatly.  But  when  we  had  returned  from  the  Holy 
Communion  in  the  evening  to  our  room,  the  third,  something 
unusual  and  powerfully  surprising  took  place.  "A"  came  from  the 
first  room  to  ours,  spoke  a  few  simple,  earnest  words,  gave  us  his 
hand  and  embraced  us.  At  once  all  shared  his  emotions.  With  a 
grasp  of  the  hand  all  with  scarcely  a  word  pledged  themselves  lo 
the  Saviour.  Then  we  were  quiet.  Thus  it  was  iilso  in  the  first 
room. 

In  these  days  that  call  those  times  to  our  remembrance  I  had  a 
conversation  with  one  who  had  been  a  participant  as  a  memlber  of 
the  second  room  company.  Before  the  Communion  we  had  known 
little  or  nothing  of  that  which  had  transpired  among  the  group  of 
fifteen,  and  after  the  Communion  there  was  little  said.  Now,  after 
the  lapse  of  fifteen  years  we  asked  ourselves.  What  did  we  really 
experience  that  evening?  If  we  were  required  to  give  an  iutelligeat 
account  of  the  occurrence,  we  would  be  perplexed.  We  could  only 
say:  An  undefined,  but  great  and  holy  something  came  upon  us  that 
so  deeply  stirred  and  moved  us.  This  must  have  been  the  Holy  Spirit. 
In  our  later  intercourse  came  the  mutual  comprehension  and  expres- 
sion of  that  which  had  occurred. 

Before  the  thirteenth  of  November  but  Mttle  information  of 
what  had  taken  place  had  reached  the  second  room,  inasmuch  as 
there  were  no  such  particularly  intimate  relations  between  the  first 
and  second  rooms  as  there  were  between  the  first  and  third.  There- 
fore the  experience  of  some  in  the  second  room  was  similar  to  that 
which  has  been  mentioned.  My  brother  Theodore  knew  more 
beforehand  and  had  been  awakened  already  at  home,  and  hence 
could  describe  more  clearly  that  which  took  placs  on  the  thir- 
teenth of  Novemiber,  writing  in  his  diary  as  follows:  — 

"A  memorable  day  not  only  for  me,  but  for  our  whole  College' 
In  the  Holy  Communion  the  Saviour  poured  out  His  grace  upon  us  in 
such  a  manner  that  there  was  afterwards  a  remarkable  agitation 
and  communion  of  spirits.  Nearly  all  in  the  first  and  third  rooms  ex- 
perienced the  grace  of  God.  That  evening  I,  too,  was  more  spiri- 
tually happy  than  ever  before.  Everywhere  friends  met  together 
and  pledged  themselves  to  the  Saviour,  and  every  one  was  ready  to 
converse  about  the  principal  matter.  The  close  uniom  of  hearts  that 
subsisted  between  the  tutors  and  two  teachers  of  the  preparatory 
school,  who  treated  us  boys  with  such  lovingkindness,  had  a  power- 
ful effect  among  uis." 

What  "A"  twenty-five  years  later  writes  in  the  Bruelerbote  con- 
cerning that  which  he  and  those  united  with  him  on  the  one  hand, 


10 


and  that  which  those  newly  impressed  on  the  other  hand  received 
on  this  day,  is  of  importance:  — 

"  It  is  not  easy  to  say  anything  about  this  day  and  to  describe 
the  blessings  which  we  received.  It  was  a  festal  day  in  the  full  sense 
of  the  word;  a  day  on  which  the  Lord  desired  to  seal  and  complete 
that  which  He  had  through  the  Holy  Spirit  begun  during  the  preced- 
ing weeks.  But  the  Lord  desired  also  to  take  more  and  more  complete 
possession  of  the  entire  Institution  on  this  day.  Its  peculiar  charac- 
teristic in  comparison  with  the  preceding  ones  was  evidently  that 
the  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit  was  almost  general,  while  during 
the  preceding  days  and  weeks  only  a  few  at  a  time  were  added  to 
the  number  of  the  awakened.  So  it  came  to  pass  that  the  blessing 
of  this  day  consisted  for  some  in  that  they  were  confirmed  in  the 
grace  they  had  received  and  for  others  who  on  this  day  came  to  a 
decision  and  full  assurance  (Ger.  "breaking  through")  in  that  they 
were  filled  with  peace  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  while  for  still 
others  the  awakening  and  with  it  the  conflict  of  light  with  darkness 
first  began.  But  all  had  received,  although  in  different  ways  the 
blessing  intended  for  all;  upon  all  a  spirit  of  love  and  reconciliation 
had  been  poured  out  and  power  from  above  had  been  given  to  thCiii 
it  with  astounded  emotion  the  same  token  of  peace  from  the  Lord 
as  they  partook  of  the  Holy  Communion,  and  this,  as  the  best 
leaven,  was  gradually  to  leaven  the  whole  lump." — 

Bro.  Class,  the  paternal  head  of  the  Unity's  Institutions,  had 
already  during  the  preceding  weeks,  by  means  of  the  tutors,  stood 
in  close  relations  with  the  movement.  He  had  also,  early  in  the 
morning  of  this  day  seen  a  rainbow  in  the  western  sky  (it  was  seen 
also  in  Herrnhut  and  Gnadenfeld)  and  with  others  recognized  in 
which  had  been  granted  to  the  fathers  on  this  day  a  hundred  years 
ago.    'He  relates  further  concerning  this  day: — • 

"Today  we  saw  in  the  looks  and  tears  of  soma  of  the  boys  and 
felt  in  the  grasp  of  their  hands  what  was  taking  place  in  them. 
Some  were  seen  here  and  there  praying  in  secret  for  the  forgiveness 
of  those  sins  of  which  they  had  today  been  convinced.  A  calm  and 
peaceful  spirit  prevailed  in  the  house. 

There  was  good  ground  to  hope  that  the  wall  of  separation  in 
the  case  of  some  would  soon  fall.  But  this  was  to  take  place  al- 
ready on  that  evening.  On  this  day  I  had  as  yet  heard  nothing 
about  it.  When  I  arose  on  the  morning  of  the  fourteenth  (Sun- 
day) such  a  powerful  feeling  of  thankfulness  overcame  m3  that  I 
could  not  at  all  explain  it  to  myself.  The  text  for  the  day  struck  me 
as  remarkable,  without  my  comprehending  it  fully.  It  was:  "Thus 
saith  the  Lord  of  hosts:  If  it  be  marvellous  in  the  eyes  of  the  rem- 
nant of  this  people  in  these  days,  should  it  also  be  marvellous  in 
mine  eyes?"  (Zech.  8;  6.) 

About  8  o'clock  I  went  into  the  preparatory  school.  On«  of 
the  brethren  met  me  and  with  thankful  joy  told  me  what  had  takea 

11 


place  on  the  preceding  evening.  I  cannot  describe  my  feelings.  I 
hastened  home  to  give  my  wife  the  good  news.  Now,  upon  reading 
the  text  again,  I  understood  it,  for  1  saw  it  fulfilled  before  my  eyes. 

After  preaching  a  boy  of  the  third  room  came  to  us.  With 
joy  beaming  in  his  face  he  told  us  of  the  grace  that  had  been  be- 
stowed upon  him  and  his  companions. 

Already  on  this  day,  when  one  entered  the  College,  one  sa.v 
here  and  there  a  face  from  which  the  peace  that  Jesus  gives  shone 
forth  in  an  indescribable  manner.  In  the  halls  or  in  the  refectory 
two,  three  or  four  were  standing  together  conversing  about  be- 
ing saved.  'From  this  day  on  some  boys  were  constantly  sought  by 
their  comrades,  so  that  all  their  sipare  time  was  taken  up  and  some- 
times engaged  days  beforehand. 

On  the  fourteenth  of  November,  Tuesday,  my  brother  Theodore 
Wunderling  writes  in  his  diary:  — 

"Today  the  rejoicing  continued.  New  acquaintanceships  and 
uiuions  of  hearts!  Everywhere  friendly  countenances,  everywhere 
little  gatherings!  In  the  preparatory  school  also  some  were  impres- 
sed. Especially  after  dinner  there  was  a  gathering  of  several  bre- 
thren and  boys  in  the  infirmary,  which  I  also  attended,  in  which 
there  was  a  mutual  expression  of  joy  and  of  thankfulness  to  the 
Saviour.  The  love  of  the  brethren  was  inexpressible.  O  that  in  all 
this  experience  may  be  a  permanent  and  not  only  a  transient  ardor! 

When  they  were  retiring  for  the  night  many  of  the  third  room 
boys  took  me  by  the  hand  and  begged  me  to  pray  for  them.  I  made 
the  same  request  of  them.  This  evening  I  begged  our  dear  spiri- 
tual guardian,  Bro.  Tietzen,  to  hold  a  house-meeting  with  reference 
to  this  whole  occurrence  He  will  take  the  matter  into  consider- 
ation. As  may  well  be  supposed,  the  joy  of  those  in  charge  is  grea^. 
For  such  an  occurrence  is  something  new  in  the  College.  O  th.at 
our  room,  also,  might  be  inflamed  with  this  holy  fire!" 

Of  the  fifteenth  of  November,  Monday,  Bro.  Class  writes:  "The 
classes  were  held  as  usual  with  only  this  difference  that  everything 
went  pai  ticulai  ly  well." 

Twenty-five  years  later  "A"  writes  in  the  Hruederbote:  "Our 
feelings  were  very  peculiar  when,  after  these  blessed  days  we  resum- 
ed our  'laily  tasks  on  Monday,  November  15;  but  one  thing  we  knew: 
That  the  first  fruit  of  the  blessing  we  had  received  must  be  this,  that 
we  would  with  faithful  interest  do  what  was  required  of  us.  And 
from  the  first  day  we  courageously  set  to  work.  But  it  was  noi 
easy  to  lay  aside  the  many  well-rooted  habits,  to  deny  ourselves 
many  conveniences,  and  especially  to  practice  a  faithfulness  in  little 
things,  of  which  we  had  no  idea  before.  A  battle  with  former  bad 
customs  began  which  only  he  can  properly  appreciate  who  has 
helped  to  fight  it." 

On  the  evening  of  this  Monday  there  was  a  larger  assembly  \n 
the  infirmary  than   on  the  day   before.    The  sick-attendant,  Bro. 

12 


Koehler,  took  a  lively  interest  in  the  occurrence  of  those  days.  Bro. 
Class  relates  as  follows:  — 

"At  half  past  6  o'clock  I  visited  the  infirmary,  and  found  more 
than  twenty  boys  there,  some  of  them  rejoicing  over  the  grace  re- 
ceived, some  encouraging  and  comforting  those  under  concern.  1 
scarcely  understood  my  own  feelings,  and  shall  never  forget  the  im- 
pression it  made  upon  me." 

My  brother  Tiieodore  writes  in  his  diary:  — 
•'At  7  o'clock  there  was  a  meeting  in  the  infirmary  of  about  thirty 
persons  from  all  the  rooms,  brethren  and  boys,  who  all  spoke  only 
of  the  Saviour  and  His  grace.  O  wnat  blessedness  to  speak  with  in- 
timate friends  about  the  Saviour's  love,  and  to  be  so  heartily  greeted 
by  all!" 

In  the  evening  Bro.  Tietzen  held  a  meeting  in  the  College  chapel 
for  those  in  the  house.  Those  officially  connected  with  the  Institu- 
tion and  the  brethren  from  the  preparatory  school  had  seats  in  the 
Principal's  office  at  one  side  of  the  chapel.  In  Bro.  Tietzen's  ad- 
dress there  was  perceptible  a  deep  emotion  and  loving  zeal  tha* 
penetrated  one's  very  soul.  It  made  a  powerful  impression  on  all 
who  heard  it,  and  on  many  one  that  remains  to  the  present  day. 
Immediately  afterwards  Bro.  F.  Geller,  teacher  in  the  first  room, 
made  there  a  short  heart-to-heart  talk,  gave  all  his  hand  and  em- 
braced them.  This  was  the  first  instance  of  such  intimate  fellow- 
ship between  one  of  the  teachers  and  the  boys. 

Bro.  Class  says:  — 

"'Nearly  all  in  the  fourth  and  fifth  rooms  were  impressed  on 
this  evening.  The  boys  of  the  fifth  room,  who  were  the  youngest, 
were  all  in  tears.  The  brethren  who  lived  with  them  had  duiriui^ 
the  whole  evening  all  they  could  do  in  comforting  and  encouraging 
anxious  souls.    The  evening  was  closed  with  prayer. 

In  the  second  and  third  rooms  the  boys  also  asked  for  evening 
devotions."  (They  have  been  held  since  that  time.) 

Of  the  second  room  Bro.  Class  writes:  — 

"In  this  room  also  there  began  to  be  life  after  the  Communion 
on  the  thirteenth  of  November,  and  especially  after  the  fifteenth. 
Some  of  the  boys  had  already  found  the  Saviour;  others  began  to  be 
vneasy,  and  some  had  to  endure  a  severe  conflict  before  they  found 
comfort  and  peace.  There  were  also  some  who  had  to  wait  for 
weeks  before  they  could  share  the  blessing  received  by  the  others." 

In  the  first  room  also,  which  invoJuntarily  attracts  our  attention 
weeks  passed  'before  the  Saviour  could  take  possession  of  some  hearts 
that  had  been  influenced  by  the  movement.  As  this  cannot  be  con- 
sidered strange  in  the  case  of  youth  of  riper  mental  development, 
some  communications  from  the  pens  of  those  senior  students  which 
show  that  in  their  case  the  work  was  thorough,  are  all  the  mo''e 
refreshing. 

"C"  relates  later:  — 


13 


"On  the  fifteenth,  after  that  service  held  by  Bro.  Tietzen,  I  had 
to  regard  myself  as  one  of  those  whom  he  had  affectionately  invite.l 
to  come  to  Jesus.  In  a  somewhat  depressed  mood  I  sat  at  my  desk 
and  tried  to  work,  Then  I  noticed  that  "B"  the  boy  who  sat  oppo- 
site, was  making  funny  eyes  at  me,  and  biting  his  lips  to  conceal  his 
amusemont.  This  seemed  to  me  very  ill-timed.  I  softly  walked  arouni 
the  table  and  asked  him  quietly  what  he  was  aibout.  How  asto- 
nished was  1  when  he,  suippressing  a  laugh  with  difficulty,  said,  'We 
will  hold  to  our  old  religion,  not  so?'  It  was  strange  that  just  he, 
'tbe  honest  soul,'  as  he  was  often  >  characteristically  called,  would 
show  such  obstinate  opposition  to  this  spirit  of  awakening.  But  every- 
thing, both  divine  and  humanly  erring  emotion,  was  apprehended  by 
him  in  such  a  ludicrous  light  that  he  with  all  his  earnestness  ap- 
pears decidedly  as  the  humorist  of  the  awakening.  Well,  in  hose 
blessed  days  there  was  also  hearty  laughing. — 

At  first,  indeed,  it  wa^  no  laughing  matter  for  me.  For  a 
whole  week  the  old  Adam  fought  with  the  Spirit  of  grace.  On  Sun- 
day the  twenty-first  of  November,  during  a  sermon  of  Bro.  Tietzen. 
in  which  he  with  special  power  dwelt  on  the  all-sufficiency  of 
the  atonement  by  Christ  for  even  the  chief  of  sinners,  the  conflict 
was  decided.  With  joy  I  could  now  venture  to  embrace  the  crucified 
Saviour,  and  rely  upon  His  meritorious  sacrifice.  And  then  an  in- 
describable peace  took  possession  of  my  heart.  If  this  central  doc- 
trine of  the  Brethren's  Ohurch  of  the  all-sutticiency  of  the  atonement 
has,  notwithstanding  theological  doubts  and  scruples  of  later  years, 
been  firmly  held  as  sacred  by  me,  I  have  to  thank  that  blessed  hour 
for  it.  I  do  not  remember  whether  it  was  immediately  after  that 
service  or  on  some  other  day  during  the  period  of  awakening  that  1, 
while  taking  a  walk  with  a  comrade,  expressed  the  feelings  I  had 
with  the  words,  'It  seems  to  me  as  though  it  were  Christmas.' 

However,  remembering  Bro.  Kleinschmidt's  theories  of  an  elec- 
tion through  grace,  I  at  that  time  thought  that  I  had  advanced  far- 
ther than  was  really  the  case.  I  thought  that  I  had  experienced 
complete  conversion  while  it  was  only  the  beginning,  an  evangelic-ii 
awakening.  And  of  this  I  soon  became  painfully  aware.  Of  my 
dear  classmate  "B"  I  must  report  that  he  obtained  happiness  in  a 
knowledge  of  the  Saviour  even  later  than  I  did,  and  that  after  many 
a  severe  inward  struggle.  If  his  expression  of  those  struggles  was 
amusing,  the  same  is  true  of  his  final  attainment  of  peace.  This 
took  place  in  the  exegetical  religious  instruction,  when  it  became 
clear  to  him  that  he  was  the  "unprofitable  servant,"  who  had  buried 
his  talent,  upon  his  confession  of  which  the  Saviour  assured  him  of 
His  forgiving  grace.  He  told  this  xperience  of  his  first  to  "A"  and  iie 
imparted  it  to  me.  Then  first  we  two  and  then  all  three  of  us  had 
a  hearty  laugh  about  the  unprofitable  servant.  It  was  not  that  the 
thing  itself,  or  his  knowledge  of  it  appeared  laughable  to  us,  but 
the  manner  in  which  "B"  emphasized  and  constantly  repeated  such 


14 


a  drastic  expression,  had  a  decided  tendency  to  arouse  cheerfulness, 
in  which  he  good-naturedly  joined.  "A  ',  '  B"  and  I  now  formed  a 
kind  of  clover-leaf  friendship,  and  I  sought  and  found  my  need  of 
further  experience,  excepting  my  intercourse  with  our  spiritual  in- 
structor ana  other  suferiors,  chiefly  in  this  snail  circle,  on  which 
account  1  can  only  report  from  hearsay  concerning  certain  more  con- 
spicious  features  of  the  awakening  like  those  numerously  attended 
gatherings  in  the  infirmary. 

"B"  himself  comments  as  follows  on  this  narrative:  — 
"That  which  convinced  me  of  the  sin  of  burying  my  talent  was 
the  fact  that  instead  of  taking  part  in  the  blessed  gatherings  in  the 
intirmary  I  took  offence  at  them,  and  in  n:y  unchanged  self-righte- 
ousness, but  honestly,  endea\ored  to  obtain  a  jood  conscience  before 
God.  I  thought  that  those  who  attended  the  gatherings  were  not 
conscientious  and  were  deceiving  themselves,  although  I  could  not 
help  noticing  a  remarkable  change  in  my  comrades  among  them. 
Then  the  (Saviour  took  pity  on  me,  and  for  thus  burying  my  taleut 
made  me  a  sinner  worthy  of  condemnation,  but  to  whom  He  soon 
after  granted  forgiveness  and  peace.  And  now  the  meetings  be- 
came a  source  of  blessing  and  joy  to  me.  ' — 

Bro.  Moritz  Geissler  says  that  instances  were  not  wanting  of 
the  devil's  power  to  entangle  hearts,  and  how  distasteful  the  Savi- 
our's name  can  become  to  a  man,  if  it  has  been  talked  at  him  too 
much  and  perhaps  without  real  sincerity.  The  expression  'ovir 
Savioured'  was  used  to  denote  such  a  condition.  This  was  the  case 
with  one  of  the  younger  students  to  such  a  degree  that  for  a  long 
time  he  avoided  liko  a  plague  all  intercourse  with  his  awakened 
comrades,  and  acted  like  one  possessed.  .He  declared  outright  to 
others,  "Why  shall  I  first  become  a  poor  sinner?  I  shall  surely  also 
■without  this  get  to  heaven.  I  will  certainly  not  first  subject  my- 
self to  such  anxiety  "  We  united  in  prayer  on  behalf  of  such  erring 
souls,  and  the  Saviour  found  them  also.  Suddenly  scales  fell  as  it 
were  from  the  eyes  of  the  one  just  mentioned,  and  he  saw  that  the 
only  way  to  gain  the  victory  was  by  self-humiliation. 

After  the  fourteenth  of  November  there  were  numerously 
attended  meetings  of  bretTiren,  boys  and  children,  generally  at  6.30 
o'clock  in  the  evening,  at  first  in  the  infirarary,  but  after  the  twenty- 
fourth  of  November  in  the  third  room  in  the  College.  This  room 
was  crowded  full  every  evening.  Groups  stood  everywhere  engaged 
in  conversation. 

Some  of  the  tutors,  especially,  encouraged  us  by  their  cordiality 
to  engag-3  in  conversation  with  them;  but  some  of  the  teachers  also, 
several  of  whom  regarded  the  occurrence  unfavorably,  were  always 
ready  to  converse  with  us.  It  may  be  that  we  sometimes  annoyed 
them  with  our  requests,  without  their  allowing  us  to  perceive  it. 
But  it  was  also  for  our  good  that  a  teacher  who  had  little  faith  in  the 

15 


proceedings,  took  e\ery  opportunity  in  our  classes  to  put  to  us  a 
question  like,  "Is  this  yoiii-  religion?" 

Of  tlie  manner  and  value  of  our  general  intercourse  during 
the  weeks  from  the  thirteenth  of  November  to  the  Christmas  vaca- 
tion,  "A"  gives  a  vivid  description  in  his  article  in  the  Bruederbote 
for  1867.  That  which  he  there  says  concerning  those  who  were 
banded  together  before  the  thirteenth  of  November,  was  now  tirst 
really  true  of  the  entiie  body  of  students,  with  few  exceptions,  and 
will  be  recognized  by  all  eye-witnesses  of  those  times  as  historic 
verity:  — 

"  It  is  not  easy  to  find  words  for  the  Lord's  dealings  with  our 
souls  individually.  The  proceedings  will  be  best  understood  if  v^; 
consider  the  manner  in  which  the  active  work  of  the  Spirit,  poured 
out  uipon  a  constantly  increasing  circle,  manifested  itself.  In  all 
cases  the  Holy  iSpirit  revealed  Himself  first  as  He  who  convinces  th3 
world  of  sin;  this  produced  in  our  hearts  poverty  of  spirit,  godly  sor- 
row and  a  seeking  for  salvation.  The  question,  'What  must  I  do  to 
be  saved',  was  asked  first  in  the  sacred  depths  of  the  heart,  and  then 
constantly  louder  in  the  conversation  of  friends.  The  Lord  in  His 
wisdom  had  wonderfully  provided  that  some  who  had  first  been  im- 
pressed could  reply  to  this  question.  They  bore  witness  in  simple 
but  eloquent  language  to  the  light  which  they  had  seen,  the  grace 
that  had  moved  them  and  the  power  they  had  received.  To  th^ 
praise  of  God  be  it  said  that  the  work  at  that  time  was  thorough. 
There  was  no  fanaticism;  upon  the  whole  there  was  little  excitement; 
and  the  usual  order  of  things  in  the  school  was  scarcely  disturbed. 
The  only  unusual  circumstance  was,  that  during  the  free  hours  one 
saw  groups  of  two,  three  or  more  students  in  the  halls  and  some  of 
the  rooms,  who  were  ongaged  in  conversation. 

In  the  same  degree  in  which  this  spirit  of  fraternal  candor  prv 
vailed,  a  hearty  love  grew  u.p,  producing  a  steadily  growing  inclina- 
tion for  prayer.  The  spirit  of  prayer  brooded  over  the  Institution. 
Certain  obstacles  that  we  encountered,  or  individuals  who  opposed 
the  proceedings  or  had  to  endure  severe  conflicts,  became  subjects 
for  fervent  prayer  and  not  in  vain.  Surprising  and  sometimes  won- 
derful answers  of  all  kinds  to  prayer  were  the  order  of  the  day. 

The  Spirit  moved  powerfully,  and  often  took  possession  of  oni? 
who  on  the  preceding  day  had  beon  either  openly  or  secretly  opposed 
to  the  new  occurrences.  An  undecided  or  doubting  soul  that  had  join- 
ed these  companies  often  felt  the  power  of  the  Spirit  that  prevailed 
in  them,  and  was  carried  along  with  the  stream.  Through  the  opera- 
tion of  the  Spirit  young  and  old  had  received  such  an  unusual  com- 
prehension of  gospel  truth  that  one  could  only  wonder  and  adore. 
But  the  words.  "Is  Saul  also  among  the  prophets?"  also  sometimes 
involuntarily  occurred  to  us  when  we  unexpectedly  saw  this  or  that 
one  enter  the  group  of  awakened  ones.  It  is  true  we  had  all  shortly 
before   been   like   Saul   in   our   uinsubdued,   defiant   and  ungodly 

16 


thoughts,  and  no  one  could  reproach  another  for  anything,  but  we 
did  not  do  it,  for  a  spirit  of  true  brotherly  love  ruled  us." 

The  expressions  made  use  of  for  a  mutual  communication  of  ex- 
perience were  similar  to  those  of  the  disciples  Andrew  and  Philip, 
when  they  related  to  others  their  first  meeting  with  the  Lord.  "We 
have  found  Jesus."  'Have  you  also  found  Him?"  Or,  "This  one  has 
now  also  found  the  Saviour."  A  confidential  confession  of  sin,  expres- 
sion of  inward  unrest,  mutual  testimony  to  Jesus'  love  for  sinners 
and  the  power  of  His  grace,  earnest  admonition,  encouragement, 
comfort,  mutual  forgiveness  and  covenanting,  a  sharpening  of  con- 
science in  school  duties,  a  seeking  of  light  on  youthful  doubts,  appli- 
cation of  Bible  truths  to  heart  and  life,  these  were  the  chief  matters. 
There  was  also  mutual  agreement  to  pray  for  one  another. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

The  Spread  of  the  Awakening  into  the  Prepai'atory  School. 

Several  brethren  relate  concerning  this:  — 

"We  had  agreed  not  to  influence  the  children  or  urge  them 
into  the  awakening  by  telling  them  what  had  taken  place  in  the 
College;  but  what  happened?  Some  of  the  children  apiplied  directly 
to  the  student.s,  and  thtey  did  not  wait  to  be  asked  twice,  but  told 
them  about  their  experiences  and  encouraged  them  to  seek  the 
Saviour. 

On  the  fifteenth  of  November,  especially,  the  stream  spread 
farther,  as  the  text  for  the  day  expressed  it,  into  the  Preparatory 
School.  On  the  14th  of  November  a  boy  of  the  first  room,  "F", 
eleven  years  of  age  had  come  on  account  of  indisposition  to  the  in- 
firmary. He  was  \ery  much  excited  and  could  not  say  what  was 
the  matter  with  him.  At  last  it  came  out  that  his  sins  made  him 
tremble  so.  The  words  of  comfort  which  Bro.  Kochler,  the  sick-at- 
tendant, and-others  gave  him,  soon  made  him  very  happy  in  the  Sav- 
iour's grace.  IHis  comrades  heard  of  this,  and  were  very  much  sur- 
prised, for  they  had  known  him  in  a  different  character.  Then  many 
a  one  learned  to  cry  out,  'God  be  merciful  to  me,  a  sinner!' 

Another  one,  "G,"  also  came  on  a  visit  to  the  infirmary,  and 
sat  down  among  those  to  whom  "F,"  who  had  just  received  pardon- 
ing grace,  related  what  he  had  experienced.  Bro.  Kochler  said  to 
"G,"  'Well,  do  you  rejoice  with  these  who  are  rejoicing?'  Quite 
surprised,  he  was  silent,  and  tears  came  into  his  eyes.  He  was  left 
to  himself.  After  the  evening  service  he  came  again,  pressed  Bro. 
Kochler's  hand  and  said,  'iXow  I  understand  you;  I  feel  differently'. 
His  conduct  showed  earnestness  and  faithfulness  to  duty,  and  he  was 
happy. 

A.t  first,  probably,  many  of  the  children  in  the  Preparatory 
School  just  went  along  with  the  rest,  some  out  of  curiosity,  but  the 

17 


power  of  the  Saviour's  love  easily  drew  these  simple  ones  to  Him- 
self. 

The  teacher  In  the  second  room  of  this  Institution  gives  the 
following  account  of  this  day  in  his  diary:  — 

"Nov.  14.  In  the  evening  a  boy,  "H,"  stayed  up  with  me,  in 
Qrder  to  tell  me  how  the  Saviour  had  blessed  him  on  the  thirteenth 
of  November.  While  we  were  speaking  "J"  came  down  from  his 
bed  in  the  dormitory  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  and  said  that  he  must 
talk  with  me,  he  could  not  rest.  Much  moved,  I  told  them  both 
how  kind  the  Saviour  had  been  to"  others,  and  directed  them  to  Him. 

Nov.  15.  In  the  evening  "K"  stayed  up  with  my  colleaguy3. 
When  I  had  taken  the  children  to  bed,  and  was  about  to  leave  the 
dormitory,  "L"  began  to  cry  in  his  bed  because  he  was  so  distressed 
about  his  sins.  I  took  him  down-stairs  and  spoke  with  him,  "K" 
listening  with  tears  in  his  eyes. 

Nov.  16.  All  the  boys  in  my  room,  especially  "M"  were  power- 
fully affected.  They  talked  freely  and  openly  about  the  Saviour  and 
His  love.  There  was  great  joyfulness  and  cordiality  among  them. 
One  said,  "How  many  angels  may  now  be  in  our  dormitory"!  Al- 
most the  whole  first  room  visited  "F"  in  the  infirmary,  and  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  moved  powerfully  among  them. 

'Nov.  18.  When  I  entered  the  infirmary  this  afternoon  the  en- 
tire first  room  and  their  teacher,  Bro.  Chapuis  were  gatherad 
around  "F".  They  were  drawing  texts  for  themselves.  Presently 
one  of  the  boys  started  a  hymn.  I  could  not  keep  back  my  tears. 
4.t  the  request  of  the  children  we  sang  together  until  five  o'clock. 
^t  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening  all  the  boys  in  the  Preparatory 
School  met  in  the  infirmary,  where  we  sang  hymns  together  until 
half  past  seven." 

Among  the  rest,  "M,"  a  boy  of  the  first  room  wrote  in  those 
days  to  his  parents:  — 

'I  cannot  at  all  tell  youi  how  glad  I  am  now  that  I  hav»  found 
*>he  Lord.  There  is  at  present  an  awakening  in  the  Preparatory 
School  and  in  the  College.  The  infirmary  has  become  like  a  church. 
We  go  up  and  converse  about  God  and  the  iSaviour,  and  His  love 
for  mankind,  so  that  He  even  died  for  us.  And  as  I  now  pray  often, 
everything  goes  twice  as  well.  If  you  were  here,  my  joy  would  be 
quite  complete.  I  wish  it  was  this  way  everywhere.  We  talk  freely 
before  others  of  the  dear  Saviour  and  His  goodness,  and  we  are  not 
ashamed.  lEven  if  the  devil  tries  to  entice  uis  from  the  right  way, 
God  gives  us  strength  to  resist  him,  if  we  only  pray  for  it.  The 
love  of  Jesus  is  lik«  a  rushing  mountain-stream  which  nothing  can 
stop;  even  the  most  stutoborn  heart  cannot  resist  It.  I  wish  An- 
drew were  here,  so  that  he  could  enjoy  this  blessing  with  uis.  Fare- 
well, and  pray  for  me,  that  tihe  Lord  may  keep  me  In  His  ways." 

Bro.  Jonathan  Kramer,  teacher  of  the  third  room,  was  also 
germitted  to  see  much  work  of  the  Spirit  among  his  pupila,  as  his 

18 


diary  shows.  On  the  eighteenth  of  November  he  kept  the  usual 
children  s  meeting,  which  the  Lord  blessed  not  only  to  the  boys  ot 
the  Preparatory  School,  but  also  to  the  children  of  the  town-school. 
Two  sisters,  who  recently  departed  this  life  here,  mentioned  in.  their 
memoirs  that  this  meeting  had  an  effect  upon  their  further  spiritual 
life.    A  still  living  citizen  of  this  place  testifies  to  a  lilie  experience. 

One  who  was  at  that  time  a  quite  little  boy  gives  the  follow- 
ing account  of  it  in  his  later  years  as  an  adult  and  servant  of  the 
Church: — 

"There  was  a  divine  power  abroad.  I  was  then  six  years  old 
and  only  later  learned  what  had  transpired.  But  I  remember  very 
well  a  Children's  Day  during  that  Autumn.  I  do  not  know  who  kept 
the  festival  service;  but  afterwards  I  was  filled  with  abouinding 
realization  of  the  love  of  God,  such  as  1  have  never  at  any  other 
time  in  my  life  experienced.  The  love  of  God  was  actually  poured 
out  in  my  heart,  which  was  full  to  breaking.  In  the  happiest  mood 
I  could  only  run  about  unperceived  in  our  garden  and  exclaim,  'O 
dear  iSaviour,  how  Thou  dost  love  me!'  I  know  nothing  further 
about  that  time.  But  1  still  have  a  most  lively  recollection  of  that 
houir." 

The  operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit  was  less  deep  and  clear  in  the 
children  than  in  young  men,  and  yet  the  genuine  germ  of  a  life  of 
grace  was  produced  in  many  hearts. 


CHAPTER  V. 

The  Commencement  of  School  after  the  Glad  Days  of  Grace. 

After  the  first  week  of  the  awakening  came  a  school  of  hu- 
mility, for  some  sooner,  for  others  later,  and  for  the  most  part  per- 
manent. Many  proofs  of  this  can  be  adduced  from  the  written  ex- 
pressions of  some  individuals  in  their  letters  and  diaries.  Here 
are  only  a  few. 

"A"  writes  already  before  Christmas  Lo  a  friend:  — 

"If  He  does  not  continue  to  work,  we  and  the  work  He  has  be- 
gun are  lost.  Here  that  absurd  pride  that  gives  one  so  much  trouble 
occurs  to  me.  Formerly,  when  Bro.  Kleinschmidt  had  so  much  to 
say  about  pride,  I  thought  he  must  have  a  wrong  idea  about  me; 
for,  as  I  always  thought  he  spoke  only  of  pride  in  dress  and  such 
things,  I  considered  myself  not  at  all  proud.  But  what  a  different 
light  on  the  subject  I  now  have!  Upon  what  foundation  were,  and 
are  yet,  all  my  works  and  my  actions  upon  the  whole  built?  On 
nothing  but  pure,  mere  pride.  I  think  of  the  games  I  enjoy  so  much. 
Would  it  give  me  pleasure  to  be  a  poor  runner? 

I  will  tell  you  something  else  that  ha^ppened  to  me  some  weekr- 
ago.  In  school  the  essay  written  by  one  of  my  class-mates  was  read 
first  and  praised.    This  already  aroused  my  proud  hope,  and  behold, 

19 


my  essay  was  also  praised.  iHere  was  food  for  my  pride!  It  made 
me  fearful  in  class.  I  knew  that  the  Saviour  had  helped  me  io 
write  the  essay,  and  'that  therefore  it  had  to  be  good,  but  that  did  not 
help.  In  the  evening,  especially,  a  restless  feeling  for  which  I  could 
not  account  worried  me.  In  those  days  "E"  had  at  last  yielded  'o 
the  Saviour.  "C",  on  the  other  hand,  was  still  in  a  troubled  state. 
The  former  1  not  only  envied,  but  was  not  all  glad  for  his  happiness. 
The  condition  of  the  latter  gave  me  pleasure,  because  it  was 
similar  to  my  own.     So  bad  are  we  now;  it  is  absurd. 

During  the  sermon  on  Sunday  "C's"  troulble  was  ended,  which 
almost  vexed  me.  I  would  have  liked  best  to  quarrel  with  the  Sav- 
iour, and  vehemently  required  of  Him  a  similar  favor,  and  He,  ac- 
cording to  His  unspeakable  goodness  granted  it  to  me  in  a  very  ap- 
parent manner.  For  while  I  was  taking  a  walk  with  Moritz  Geissler 
in  the  afternoon  it  suddenly  became  clear  to  me  that  after  all  I  would 
be  a  fool  if  I  thought  I  would  have  to  get  rid  of  all  my  sins  before 
I  could  come  to  the  Saviour." 

In  February,  1842,  the  same  one  writes:  — 

"At  the  Communion  on  the  twentieth  of  February  we  could 
again  perceive  quite  clearly  that  the  Lord  was  in  our  midst.  We 
noticed  that  something  was  taking  place  in  us,  and  were  uneasy 
about  ourselves.  The  disposition  to  speak  freely  to  one  another  had 
for  a  time  been  taken  from  us,  and  was  now  given  to  us  again.  I 
hope  we  will  not  lose  this  grace  again  by  our  folly. 

We  have  in  these  days  spoken  much  with  one  another  about  a 
lack  of  principle.  The  case  was  not  the  same  as  formerly,  but  in 
little  things  it  was  pretty  bad.  The  measles  were  now  prevailing  in 
the  Institution.  This  gave  us  days  of  blessed  communion  with  the 
Saviour  and  of  written  communications  with  the  patients.  From  time 
to  time  I  have  moments  in  which  it  is  quite  clear  to  me  that  every- 
thing that  we  experience  is  pure  grace,  especially  the  power  to  pray. 
Instead  of  accepting  this  grace  with  a  thankful  and  glad  heart,  how 
foolishly  we  behave!  We  are  dissatisfied,  want  things  different 
from  the  dispensations  of.  grace,  and  in  our  own  strength  we  think 
we  can  improve  them.  We  can  do  nothing,  we  are  unruly  children 
and  must  be  satisfied  to  receive  everything  as  a  gift.  And  just  this 
is  also  grace.  Therefore  let  us  earnestly  beseech  the  Saviour  to 
grant  us  really  childlike  communion  with  Him  in  little  things  also, 
and  thus  we  shall  learn  it  for  the  greater  things." 

How  one  can  have  the  Saviour's  help  in  little  things  the  same 
one  shows  in  a  letter  written  soon  afterwards:  — 

"I  sat  vexed  before  my  disorderly  drawer  and  could  not  find 
what  I  wanted.  Shall  all  my  resolutions  to  be  orderly  amount  to 
nothing?  Then  I  thought,  'ihave  you  grayed  about  it?"  The  devil 
said  to  me,  'It  does  not  pay  to  pray  about  it.'  But  my  trust  in 
the  Saviour  kept  the  upper  hand.  I  begged  Him  to  give  me  the  pow- 
er to  become  orderly,  I  desired  it  so  much,  but  could  not.    The  next 

20 


,day  1  put  my  drawer  in  order,  and  although  almost  two  months  have 
passed,  it  has  not  been  in  disorder  again.  In  many  other  little 
things  also,  the  Saviour  has  strengthened  my  faith  by  hearing  my 
prayers,  but  I  always  forget  how  He  has  helped  me,  and  lose  my 
trust  in  Him.  The  less  1  am  able  to  hold  Him  fast,  the  more  must 
He  hold  me,  or  I  shall  quite  forsake  Him." 

The  oratorical  exercise  in  the  College  at  Easter,  1842,  also  fur- 
nished an  opportunity  for  the  school  of  humility  to  some  boys  of 
the  second  room.  The  youthful  orators  let  their  mouth.s  overflow  with 
that  which  their  hearts  felt.  Some,  for  instance  my  second  brother 
Theophilus,  almost  delivered  a  sermon.  This  procedure  was  in  any 
event  uinsuitable  and  dangerous  for  them  It  would  certainly  have 
been  better  if  advice  and  direction  with  reference  to  the  matter  had 
been  given  to  them  beforehand.  But  now  such  orations  were  severely 
criticised  in  the  teachers'  room,  and  the  teacher  in  charge  of  the 
boys  communicated  the  criticisms  to  them.  This  at  first  gave  offence 
to  these  young  hearts.  But  the  open-hearted  love  with  which  their 
room-teacher,  Bro.  Th.  Reichel,  discussed  the  matter  with  them  con- 
quered, and  led  up  to  a  specially  blessed  Communion  on  Maundy 
Thursday. 

Especially  from  the  diary  of  my  brother  Theodore,  I  could 
quote  many  instances  to  show  how  the  Lord  exercised  the  earnest 
and  yet  blessed  discipline  of  His  school  with  those  whom  He  had 
just  in  love  drawn  to  Himself. 

"1841.  Dec.  Because  of  my  great  anxiety  I  often  have  to  con- 
tend with  doubts,  do  not  venture  to  decide,  or  if  I  have  decided  fear 
that  I  have  deceived  myself.  Therefore  I  always  feel  best  if  I  know 
that  I  still  have  the  Saviour. 

1842,  Oct.  6.  More  deeply  than  ever  I  must  feel  my  limitless 
weakness,  helplessness  and  depravity,  but  it  is  for  my  good. 

Oct.  8.  Today  Bro.  Tietzen  spoke  with  me  about  conscientious- 
ness in  little  things,  especially  about  lending  my  note-books  to  others. 
I  could  not  answer  a  word.  So  much  has  been  forgiven  me,  and 
out  of  a  pitiful  fear  of  man  I  am  not  even  willing  to  refuse  to  lend 
my  note-books  to  my  comrades. 

Oct.  10.  Until  now  no  one  has  asked  for  my  note-book.  I 
had  prayed  earnestly  that  the  Lord  would  prevent  my  comrades  from 
asking  or  give  me  strength  to  refuse  the  request. 

Oct.  18.  A  particular  matter  is  giving  me  great  concern.  To 
know  that  one  is  hated  by  some  one  is  very  hard,  and  yet,  if  I  my- 
:self  were  different,  everything  would  be  different.  If  only  the  Sav- 
iour would  entirely  control  my  actions! 

1  842,  Oct.  25.  Afiter  all,  it  is  quite  hard  to  be  nothing  and  let 
Christ  1)9  all. 

Nov.  13.  Today  1  could  again  rejoice  in  my  election.  I  also 
felt  that  I  was  beloved  by  my  comrades.  Now  1  found  fresh  streams 
in  the  wilderness." 

21 


What  "IE"  writes  about  the  same  time  agrees  with  the  above: — - 
"When  I  was  communing  with  my  comrades  in  a  heartfelt  way 
before  the  Communion,  I  could  not  avoid  a  feeling  of  repugnance 
with  regard  to  one  of  them,  which  I  had  felt  for  years.  I  was 
certainly  glad  to  partake  of  the  Holy  Communion  and  hoped  that  by 
means  of  it  I  might  obtain  more  love  to  my  comrades.  'If  only  he 
were  not  one  of  them',  I  said  to  myself,  'and  if  I  only  do  not  have  to 
sit  next  to  him  in  the  Communion.'  Although  this  thought  troubled 
me  not  a  little,  I  did  not  wish  to  do  anything  to  prevent  sitting  next 
to  him,  as  I  could  ea'sily  have  done.  I  took  my  seat,  and  next  to  me  sat 
that  very  disliked  comrade!  For  some  moments  this  disturbed  me 
greatly,  but  suddenly  it  occurred  to  me  that  in  such  a  case  one 
should  pray,  and  just  all  the  more  for  that  one  whom  one  does  not 
love.  This  1  did  quite  simply  in  my  trouble,  and  at  once  all  dislike 
vanished.  I  felt  all  at  once  sucJi  a  love  for  him  that  I  sat  as  close 
to  him  as  possible.  Immediately  the  service  began,  and  a  feeling 
took  possession  of  me  that  I  cannot  describe.  I  was  supremely 
happy.  The  Saviour  came  with  all  the  power  of  His  love  to  my  still 
so  hard  heart,  and  at  last,  after  often  knocking  in  vain,  obtained 
entrance." 

Bro.  Class  writes  to  Bro.  Passavant  at  Koenigsfeld  with  refer- 
ence to  this  school-time:  — 

"The  Saviour  had  led  our  young  people  up  on  Mt.  Tabor,  and 
they  said,  'It  is  good  for  us  to  be  here'.  iBefore  the  rich  measure 
of  His  grace  sin  had  withdrawn  into  the  recesses  of  their  hearts. 
But  now  the  Saviour  had  to  take  them  by  the  hand  and  lead  them 
down.  Many  a  'Lord,  have  mercy'  took  the  place  of  their  rejoicing 
as  they  looked  deeply  into  their  sinful  hearts.  For  sin  came  forth 
again  from  its  hiding-place  and  sought  to  enforce  its  dominion. 
The  conflict  began  anew.  Victory  inclined  now  to  the  one  side, 
now  to  the  other.  But,  thank  God!  the  number  of  those  in  whom 
the  new  creature  has  the  upper  hand  is  not  small.  One  must  re- 
member that  one  has  to  do  here  with  youths  fourteen  to  twenty-one 
years  of  age,  in  whom  the  Lord's  work  has  just  begun,  and  is  sti'l 
in  its  infancy,  so  that  it  is  no  wonder  if  things  sometimes  appear  that 
belong  to  the  old  man.  In  most  of  them  we  can  note  the  continued 
work  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  there  are  not  a  few  in  whom  a  good 
foundation  has  been  laid.  The  sceptre  of  Christ  rules  in  the  house; 
some  kiss  it,  others  bow  beneath  it." 

And  in  this  thousand  times  blessed  school  of  grace  all  children 
of  grace  have  had  part.  We  could  yet  add  many  testimonies  there- 
to; they  would  all  in  various  ways  and  yet  unitedly  praise  the  faith- 
ful shepherd-care  of  Jesus. 

And  this  school  of  grace  continued  not  only  the  first  year,  but 
through  all  the  years  of  our  educational  life  and  all  the  years  of  our' 
whole  earthly  life. 


22. 


For  ane  half  of  our  number,  by  their  being  called  before  the 
throne  of  God,  this  school  has  ended  in  the  examination.  The  rest 
of  us  are  today,  and  more  than  ever,  in  the  school.  Lord,  help  us 
to  pass  our  examination! 


CHAPTER  ^^. 
The  Continuation  of  the  Work  of  Grace. 

The  Lord's  work  continued  from  month  to  month,  from  year  to 
year.  If  the  stream  of  blessing  no  longer  overflowed  its  banks,  :t 
still  flowed  with  a  strong  current  in  its  bed  among  the  youths  in  the 
College,  and  then  into  the  Theological  Seminary  in  Gnadenfeld,  and 
still  farther  into  the  lives  of  teachers  and  ministers. 

Bro.  Plitt,  who  served  in  the  Theological  Seminary  in  Gnaden- 
feld thirty-five  years,  writes  of  this:  — 

"Incited  by  the  news  from  Niesky,  at  first  three  friends  in  the 
Theological  Seminary  pledged  themselves  to  the  Lord.  That  which 
these  had  obtained  in  the  College  by  means  of  faithful  pastoral  care 
and  awakening  sermons  gained  a  firmer  form.  Others,  it  is  tru3, 
as  yet  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  the  new  spirit.  Only  when 
the  living  witnesses  of  the  awakening  at  Niesky  entered  the  Semin- 
ary, could  the  older  students  not  escape  the  influence  of  their  young- 
er comrades,  especially  as  these  waged  a  determined  conflict  with 
the  established  loose  traditions,  which  indeed  had  ruled  long  enough 
in  the  Theological  Seminary.  Gradually  their  opponents  yielded  to  a 
better  spirit,  and  the  blessing  of  the  day  of  grace  at  Niesky  began  lo 
spread  among  the  students.  From  that  time  the  blessing  spread 
among  a  great  number  of  teachers  of  the  younger  generation." 

As  the  Lord  by  His  faithful  care  for  our  young  men  in  Xieskv 
and  in  Gnadenfeld  gave  new  life  to  this  spirit  at  different  times  by 
new  seasons  of  awakening,  thus  throughout  a  decade  it  put  forth 
new  shoots.  In  the  Preparatory  School  at  Niesky,  repeated  visita- 
tions of  grace  occurred  during  the  following  years,  with  especial 
power  first  in  1844,  when  some  of  these  who  had  been  so  mightily 
affected  in  1841  after  finishing  the  course  of  study  in  the  Seminary, 
entered  as  teachers.  This  had  no  such  perceptible  results  in  th° 
College,  but  certainly  among  the  teachei-s  of  both  Institutions,  which, 
in  1845  and  1846  enjoyed  rich  blessings,  the  effects  of  which  were 
felt  for  a  long  time.  In  the  same  manner,  genuine  awakenings  oc- 
curred in  other  Boys'  Schools  which  young  men  who  had  enjoyed 
the  blessings  of  1841  entered  as  teachers.  Thus  it  was  in  Koenigs- 
feld,  Kleinwelke  and  Xeuwied.  In  the  Seminary  at  Gnadenfeld  also 
the  work  of  grace  continued  quietly,  and  especially  in  1850  and 
1851  the  new  life  there  spread  with  greater  power  than  in  1842. 
Indeed,  the  Lord  made  the  entire  decade  after  1841  a  time  of 
blessing  and  life  for  the  whole  circle  of  our  young  men,  and  the 

23 


fruits  of  it  have  manifested  ttiemselves  in  various  ways  during  the 
following  years.  Especially  up  to  1871,  therefore  through  three 
decades,  almost  the  life  of  a  generation,  these  fruits  came  to  full 
maturity,  and  in  part  are  still  vigorous.  Thanks  and  praise  for 
this  to  the  Lord,  the  Chief  Shepherd  and  Bisihop  of  Souls!  To  en  tar 
into  further  details  would  pass  the  limits  of  our  present  undertaking.. 


CHAPTER  Vn. 

The  Great  Transformation  in  the  College  after  the  Awakening. 

Before  we  speak  of  this,  and  yet  in  close  connection  with  it,  we 
would  like  to  say  a  word  or  two  about  our  dear  Father  Schordan, 
who  was  at  that  time  Principal  of  Che  Unity's  Institutions.  Some 
who  have  no  knowledge  of  those  times  will  have  desired  to  know 
how  the  highest  official  of  the  College  stood  with  regard  to  the  awak- 
ening. And  behold,  what  we  can  say  about  it  is  just  exactly  a  lead- 
ing testimony  to  the  great  transformation  of  the  entire  condition  of 
things  in  the  house. 

Bro.  Schordan  had  been  before  this  time  the  personified  law  oi 
discipline  and  order  in  the  house,  universally  °steemed,  feared  by 
transgressors.  When  he,  shaking  his  room-key  in  his  hand  like  a 
sceptre,  entered  a  room  in  the  college,  in  order  to  lecture  us,  even 
fhe  boldest  trembled.  On  the  other  hand,  if  he  summoned  any  one 
to  his  office,  in  order  to  repiove  him  for  some  offence,  the  culprit 
left  it  quite  crushed.  And  with  all  this  one  could  very  well  notice 
that  he  would  have  been  heartily  glad  to  speak  in  a  different  tone. 
But  he  knew  well  that,  in  the  existing  state  ot  affairs  only  an  iroA 
hand  could  rule. 

This  man  of  authority  had  suddenly  fainted  in  the  Greek  class 
and  was  carried  unconscious  to  his  residence.  At  his  age  of  4  9 
years  it  was  certainly  not  a  trifling  occurrence.  He  could  not  parti- 
cipate in  the  festival  of  the  thirteenth  of  November,  but  was  present 
although  in  the  side-room,  at  the  household  service  which  Bro. 
Tietzen  held.  In  a  letter  written  Nov.  15,  1841,  to  the  representative 
of  the  Unity's  Schools  in  the  Unity's  Elders  Conference,  we  see  what 
his  faithful  heart,  to  which  the  young  men  in  his  College  were  dear, 
had  learned  and  tested  of  their  experiences,  and  what  he,  with  thank- 
ful astonishment,  thought  of  the  occurrence.    He  writes: — 

"I  wrote  in  my  last  letter  that  we  iprefer  to  rejoice  with  quiet 
gratitude,  and  I  must  now  add  with  wonder  and  amazement,  over 
the  present  work  of  grace  among  our  young  men.  But  w^en  the 
joy  of  brethren  and  pupils  in  the  Lord  finds  such  powerful  expres- 
sion as  it  has  since  the  jubilee  just  celebrated,  one  dare  not  and  can 
not  be  silent,  although  one  cannot  properly  express  what  should  be 

24 


said.  Since  all,  boys  and  teachers,  feel  themselves  to  be  one  heart 
and  soul,  their  joy  is  unspeakable.  The  opinion  of  our  Board  is 
that  if  we  had  to  say  that  man  had  planned  this  work,  we  would 
have  to  fear  for  the  result.  But  it  is  the  ='pirit  of  the  Lord  who,  up 
to  this  very  hour,  has  produced  this  wonderful  work.  We  must  not 
interfere.  The  conviction  of  sin  that  preceded  guarantees  that  it 
is  not  mere  emotional  excitement,  and  the  fine  artlessness  and  un- 
disguised cheerfulness  that  prevail  among  them  prove  that  it  is  not 
an  artificial  display." 

O,  we  could  see  and  feel  his  joy  in  that  he  could  now  give  full 
rein  to  his  affection,  and  speak  to  us  in  a  new  and  different  tone. 
And  how  paternal  this  tone  had  become!  Now  we  could  not  only 
respect  but  love  our  acknowledged  ruler,  and  were  glad  for  every 
friendly  word,  glad  for  his  delightful  and  often  edifying  Greek  lec- 
tures. He  had  now  become  our  loving  father.  This  was  not  a 
change  of  his  disposition,  but  the  natural  result  and  decided  proof 
of  the  transformation  of  his  beloved  College. 

We  are  very  desirous,  for  the  glory  of  God,  to  present  this 
transformation  of  the  entire  condition  of  the  College  after  the  awak- 
ening, in  contrast  with  that  condition  shortly  before,  in  a  sharp  and 
clear  light. 

"A"  says  concerning  it  in  his  article  in  the  Bimederbote  for 
1867:  — 

"The  ruling  spirit  of  the  College  was  entirely  changed.  How 
great  a  change  this  was  only  those  can  estimate  who  were  students 
before  and  after  it  took  place.  As  certain  as  it  is  that  before  the 
awakening  not  everything  was  bad,  but  that  there  were  good  ex- 
ceptions as  certain  also  as  it  is  that  after  the  awakening  there  was 
not  a  state  of  perfect  goodness,  but  that  shortcomings  still  appeared 
from  time  to  time,  just  so  certain  is  it  that  a  decidedly  new  order  of 
things  began;  a  new  creation  had  come  forth  by  the  Word  and  Spirit 
of  the  Lord." 

The  church  services  were  valued  and  often  gave  rise  to  edifying 
conversation.  The  pastoral  care  of  the  spiritual  adviser  or  elder 
was  often  invoked.  The  unprofessional  brethren  or  tutors  were 
respected.  The  tyranny  of  the  strong  over  the  weak  came  to  an 
end.  Conscience  would  not  permit  a  transgression  of  the  rules. 
Cheating  in  school  was  severely  criticised.  Industry  in  studies  and 
good  conduct  were  zealously  cultivated.  Ridicule  of  sacred  things 
was  proscribed.  And  with  all  this  we  were  youthfully  merry,  and 
jokes  and  games  and  walks  were  now  first  right  full  of  sunshine. 

These  are  only  pencil-strokes  to  represent  the  outside  of  the 
conditions  in  the  College  after  the  thirteenth  of  November.  But 
just  this  strikingly  apparent  change  in  the  actual  condition  of  such 
a  large  Institution  full  of  young  men  speaks  yet  more  convincinglv 

25 


than  the  most  edifying  testimonies  of  individuals,  of  the  divine, 
transforming  power  of  the  grace  that  then  was  given  to  us. 

May  we  not  perhaps  say  today  after  fifty  years,  that  with  hut  a 
few  exceptions,  upon  the  whole  the  spirit  of  conscientiousness  as  to 
duity,  the  spirit  of  reverence  for  the  sanctuary  of  spiritual  ajid  eter- 
nal life  has  held  sway  in  our  College. 

My  heart  and  my  conscience  have  constrained  me  to  make 
known  for  the  glory  of  G-od  to  the  c'hurch  here  in  Niesky  in  view  of 
the  approaching  festival  of  Nov.  13th.,  1891,  somethiag  of  the 
mighty  works  of  the  Lord  amongst  the  youth  of  tlhis  community 
fiifty  years  ago.  Others,  who  w^re  my  companions  in  those  happy 
days,  have  told  this  wonderful  story  at  various  times  and  places, 
and  experience  shows  that  the  divine  blessing  has  accompanied 
tlheir  narrative.  Does  not  the  living  God  say  also  to  us:  "Only 
take  heed  to  thyself,  and  Keep  thy  soul  diligently,  lest  thou  forget 
the  things  which  thine  eyes  have  seen,  and  lest  they  depart  from 
Mhy  heart  all  the  days  of  thy  life:  but  teach  them  thy  sons,  and  thy 
sons'  sons,  that  they  may  teach  their  children."     (iDeut  4:9  and  10). 


26 


Nazareth,  Penna.,  June  1st.,  1913 


Dear  Friend: 

Our  beloved  Moravian  Church  was  born  in  a  revival,  was  re- 
newed in  a  revival,  and  has  prospered  in  proportion  as  she  has 
cherished  the  revival  spirit  of  the  Fathers.  This  spirit  of  evangelis- 
tic zeal  for  the  salvation  of  men  is  not  easily  maintained.  Eternal 
vigilance  is  required,  and  an  up-hill  battle  must  be  fought,  lest 
Laodicean  lukewarmness  overtake  us  with  its  paralyzing  power. 
There  is  nothing  which  the  enemy  of  souls  will  strive  more  to  pre- 
vent than  "seasons  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord." 
Aversion  and  opposition  to  revivals  and  conversions  have  always 
been  prevalent,  and  will  doubtless  continue  to  the  end  of  time.  On 
the  day  of  Pentecost  the  words  and  actions  of  Spirit-filled  men  and 
women  were  attributed  by  scoffers  to  the  influence  of  intoxication. 
Ridicule,  persecution,  imiprisonment  and  martyrdom  followed.  Our 
own  Moravian  Church  has  had  her  full  share  oif  all  these  experi- 
ences, whenever  she  has  manifested  apostolic  zeal  for  the  salva- 
tion of  souls.  Count  Zinzendorf  knew  whereof  he  spoke  when  he 
declared:  "If  a  minister  desires  to  enjoy  ease  and  have  things  go 
smoothly  in  his  congregation,  conversions  and  revivals  dare  not  take 
place.  As  soon  as  these  occur  the  devil  is  loose,  no  matter  how  de- 
cently and  in  order  everything  may  be  conducted." 

Enemies  of  revivals  and  conversions  are  not  only  the  vile  and 
the  vicious,  but  also  the  self-righteous  and  the  formalist.  "The 
preaching  of  the  Cross"  is  a  "stumbling-block"  and  "foolishness"  to 
t)he  spiritual  children  both  of  the  religious  Jew  as  well  as  of  the 
worldly-wise  and  cultured  Greek.  iBut  we  dare  not  retreat  or  keep 
silence. 

Our  only  weapons  of  spiritual  warfare  and  victory  are  "the 
Blood  of  the  Lamb  and  Che  Word  of  our  Testimony."  Th9  preaching 
of  "Christ  and  Him  Crucified"  in  demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and  of 
power,  is  still  mighty  through  God  to  the  pulling  down  of  Satan's 
strongholds.  By  this  sign  we  conquer.  Almost  every  Moravian 
Church  Festival  commemorates  wonderful  revivals  In  anawer  to 
united,  persevering  prayer  accomipanied  by  plain,  earnest  testimony, 
all  pointing  to  the  "precious  Blood  of  Christ."  Unless  Zion  tra- 
vails in  hirth  by  laboring  in  tihe  ministry  of  intercession  and  witness- 
hearing  she  will  not  'bring  forth  spiritual  children,  so  that  the  Re- 

27 


deemer  may  see  of  the  travail  of  His  soul  and  be  satisfied.  We  do 
well  to  pray  with  Spangenberg: 

"O  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  all  life  is  Thine! 

Now  fill  Thy  Churdh  with  life  and  power  divine, 

That  many  children  may  be  born  to  Thee, 

And  spread  Thy  knowledge  like  the  boundless  sea, 

To  Christ's  great  praise!" 

The  prayer  of  the  prophet  may  well  be  our  daily  cry:  "Oh 
Lord,  revive  Thy  Work  in  the  midst  of  the  years!"     (Hab.  3:2) 

The  preceding  pages  record  a  remarkable  revival  in  on"?  of  our 
most  famous  Moravian  Educational  Institutions,  located  in  one  of 
our  oldest  and  best  congregations.  The  conversions  here  described 
were  those  of  born  and  bred  Moravians,  Lutherans,  etc.,  some  of 
whom  were  children  of  godly  ministers.  The  revival  came  as  a  re- 
sult of  earnest  importunate  prayer  as  well  as  of  faithful  personal 
witnessing.  May  these  truths  be  carefully  and  prayerfully  pondered 
by  us  all! 

This  pamphlet  furnishes  another  illustration  of  the  fact  that  it 
has  pleased  the  Lord  to  employ  the  Moravian  Church  in  the  coq- 
version  not  only  of  savages  and  so-called  sinners,  but  also  of  theo- 
logical students  and  ministers,  such  as  Boehler,  the  Wesleys,  Lang- 
gaard,  Krogstrup,  etc. 

Nicodemus  must  needs  be  born  again,  no  less  than  the  poor 
woman  at  the  well  of  Samaria. 

May  we  not  ask  all  our  readers  to  pray  that  the  Lord's  blessing 
may  accompany  this  narrative  and  also  to  aid  in  its  wide  circulation. 
Our  aim  is  to  introduce  it  in  as  many  Moravian  homss  as  possible,  as 
well  as  in  all  our  Church-Schools. 

Any  gifts  for  tihis  cause  will  be  gratefully  received.  The  price 
which  will  not  cover  the  cost  of  publication,  has  been  fixed  at  the 
low  rate  of  fifty  cents  per  dozen  copies,  and  $3.00  per  hundred, 
postpaid.  Address  all  orders  to  "The  Item,"  Nazareth,  Pa.,  or  to  the 
undersigned. 

Yours  in  His  service, 

JOHN  aRBENPIEILD. 


ITCM   PRINT  NAZARETH  PA. 


